Judith Stenis

Judith is from the highlands of Papua New Guinea, but lives the capital city Port Moresby. Judith did her undergraduate degree in International Relations and Public Policy at the University of Papua New Guinea, and is doing her MBA at UTS.

“I see a lot of need for people like me who’ve studied in Australia and have learnt new things. I work in the public service in Papua New Guinea and there are a lot of changes to be made. I believe that I can be part of that change.

I’ve learnt many useful skills at UTS that I will utilise when I’m back in my job at home as well as in my own personal life in the event that I want to start up my own business. I’ve learnt how you can communicate at that management level. I’ve also built a lot of confidence through my studies here. The skills taught at UTS are very practical. Those are the kind of skills that are currently being applied in the industry level out there. I have a passion for empowering people, and UTS has given me the skills that I really need to go out there and do what I’ve always wanted to do.

One thing I’m thankful for and I think is so useful at UTS is that we do our studies based on what’s happening out there in industry by working on real-life case studies, studying organisations, identifying what’s happening, identifying problems and finding ways of addressing those problems. It’s very challenging, but that’s the thing I like about it because it prepares you well for when you go out there.

I am a mother and I finished my undergraduate degree ten years ago and have been working. It’s a different environment coming back. Papua New Guinea is a small developing nation and the level of education is not as advanced as in Australia and at institutions like UTS, so I knew it was going to be a very big challenge. That’s why I told myself that I need to help myself if I’m going to be successful.

I’ve used a lot of the support services. I’ve been to counselling and I got a lot of support from there, and I went to HELPS, which was very useful. I’ve also used the learning support at the Business Faculty a lot. Their contributions make very big differences in what we learn. I always tell my friends – other international students – ‘you have to make use of these support services. They are free! I’m speaking from experience.’

UTS believes in people; they believe that they are training future leaders with important skills and capabilities. You know they are here to make a difference. UTS has invested by training us. When I go back, I’ll be an ambassador for UTS – to all the scholars in my country.”